Davighi appointed Rakuten Overdrive UK country manager

Paul Davighi, formerly sales and marketing director at I.B.Tauris Publishers, is joining global digital lending platform Rakuten OverDrive to be its UK country manager.

In this newly created role, Davighi will be responsible for overseeing the growth of the UK team and in assisting public libraries and schools in maximising the circulation and efficiency of their e-book and digital audiobook collections. He will also serve as the point of contact for libraries transitioning or growing their digital book services. The role will be based in London.

Claudia Weissman, vice president, global libraries and education at OverDrive, commented: "UK libraries and schools have worked with OverDrive since 2007 and we’re excited to bring Paul’s expertise and experience to our local team. Paul will help our UK partners meet the needs of their communities with e-book services and enhance their value in today’s digital world."

Davighi added: "I am thrilled to be heading up OverDrive’s UK libraries and schools team and for the opportunity to promote their award-winning services to local institutions."   

OverDrive, bought up by Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten in 2015 for £275m, currently works in partnership with more than 200 libraries and schools. It is a partner to RNIB and Listening Books, supports Cityread London’s annual celebration of literature in the capital’s libraries, and facilitates national and local library-centred book club initiatives.